Method of Erecting An Offset Scaffold Platform

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a method of building an offset scaffold platform to an existing scaffold structure by using pivoting horizontal scaffold truss members, where each truss has a first end with a pivoting connector that pivot vertically and second ends that have second connectors that pivot horizontally. Each pivoting connector has a movable latch that, when latched, restricts uncoupling from a coupled vertical scaffold member but allows the pivoting coupled truss to remain moveable about the pivoting connector. The method includes the step of connecting one truss to a vertical scaffold member in an existing frame about the vertically pivoting end and connecting the second truss to another vertical scaffold member in the existing scaffold structure about one of its pivoting ends. Each pivoting connector latch is moved to the latched position, each truss is pivoted about its coupled end, and the uncoupled ends are each connected to vertical scaffold members which are supported from an overhead structure. Scaffold boards are positioned between the pivoted trusses to create a working surface therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/529,150 filed on Aug. 1, 2019 which was a divisional applicationof U.S. application Ser. No. 15/053,894, filed on Feb. 25, 2016, whichwas a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/265,074, filed onApr. 29, 2014, which was a continuation in part of ApplicationPCT/US2012/062557, filed on Oct. 30, 2012, which claimed the prioritybenefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/599,118 filed on Feb. 15,2012, and U.S. Provisional Application 61/628,607 filed on Nov. 2, 2011,all of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Scaffold frames are a series of horizontal and vertical scaffold framemembers that connect together to create a raised working platform. Theoverall structure is supported by the vertical scaffold memberscontacting the support surface, such as the ground.

Scaffold frames can be constructed from tube and clamp frame members, orfrom system scaffold members (modular scaffold systems). In systemscaffolds, the vertical scaffold members are coupled to horizontalscaffold members at a scaffold joint. A modular scaffold joint comprisesa connector on the vertical scaffold member 3000 that is designed tocouple or mate with a connector on a horizontal scaffold member, therebyjoining together a horizontal and vertical scaffold member 2010.Horizontal scaffold members will be referred to in general as“horizontals,” while vertical scaffold members will be referred togenerally as “verticals”, irrespective of the joint/connector type.

One type of modular scaffold joint uses an end connector positioned onthe end of a horizontal member, where the end connector has a lip orhook section 3001. The lip sections are designed to engage or rest onthe corresponding vertical joint connector, such as an upstanding cup oran annular ring 3003 positioned on a vertical scaffold member 3010. Onesuch joint is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,307, shown in FIG. 11,which discloses a connector positioned on a horizontal scaffold member,where the connector has two vertically spaced hook sections 3001.

These hook sections couple with two vertically spaced upstanding cup orring members 3003 located on the vertical scaffold member 3001. To lockthe joint in place, the connector includes a wedge 3100 (a form of amoveable latch member 2000) that is driven (generally by a hammer) intoposition below the upper ring member, thereby wedging the ring againstthe end connector hook section, latching the horizontal member to thevertical member. This type of connector is referred to as a Safwayconnector (see attached FIG. 11). As used herein, “latching” refers tothe action of engaging a horizontal member to a vertical member, wherethe action of latching resists dislodgement of the horizontal memberfrom the vertical member from an upwardly directed force.

Another “cup” type of latching connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,078,532 and 5,028,164 and in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/489,166, allhereby incorporated by reference (see FIG. 12). These patents also showan end connector positioned on a horizontal scaffold member, where theconnector has two vertically spaced hooked sections 3001 that couplewith two vertically spaced upstanding cup or ring members 3003 locatedon the vertical scaffold member 3010. In this device, the hookedsections engage the top edge of the cup, and a pivoting member or latch3400, (the pivoting latch 3400 is another type of movable latch member2000) positioned on the horizontal end connector, is pivoted intoposition below the cup member. The latch member 3400 has a distal endextending beyond the housing, shaped to allow for placement of thedistal end beneath a cup positioned on a vertical scaffold member.Hence, when latched, the cup 3003 is trapped between the hook engagementsections of the connector housing and the distal end of the latch member3400 (see FIG. 12A). The latch pivots on a pivot pin and can be springloaded to bias the latch into a locking or actuated position. This typeof connector is referred to as an Excel connector (see attached FIG.12). Single cup embodiments are also possible, such as shown in U.S.Pat. No. 7,048,093. Other cup type latching mechanisms are in the priorart, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,859.

Another cup type of latching mechanism is disclosed in U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/738,273, filed Apr. 20, 2007 (hereby incorporated byreference)(not shown). This application teaches a horizontal scaffoldmember having an end connector with two hook or engagement areas, eachdesigned to couple with a cup on a vertical member. The connectorincludes an upper and a lower latch, each the respective upper and lowercoupled ring or cup members. The two latches are mechanically coupledallowing for single action operation to engage or disengage both latcheswith a latch on the horizontal scaffold member, whether slidable orpivotable, (as a type of movable latch member 2000) will be referred toas a cup/latch scaffold system. This is also in the scope of an Excelconnector.

Another cup type of latching connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,992,118 (commonly referred to as the Cuplock system) (see FIG. 10). Asdisclosed in this patent (see particularly FIGS. 3 and 4 of thispatent), the vertical scaffold member (generally a pipe) has a fixedannular ring 10 forming an upstanding cup surrounding the verticalmember with upward facing annular channel. Positioned above thisupstanding cup at a set height is a lug 20. Slidably and rotationallypositioned on the vertical scaffold member above this fixed cup is areverse cup (a cup facing downwardly) 14 that has a downward facingannular channel (the rotatable cup is another type of movable latchmember 2000), and an outward projection 18 in the cup wall that forms aslot 17. This slot accommodates the lug 20, so that the reverse cup,with the slot aligned with the lug, can slide past the lug, and if theslot is not aligned with the lug, the reverse cup 14 cannot slide pastthe lug 20 (see FIG. 10A). The corresponding horizontal scaffold member(generally a pipe) has at each end, an upward facing ear or tongue and adownward facing ear or tongue (not shown). Each respective tongue isshaped to fit in the annular channel formed in the respective upward andreverse cup. To assemble a joint, the downward tongue on the horizontalmember is positioned in the upward annular channel of the upstandingcup. The reverse cup is then slid down the vertical member, past the lug20 (by proper alignment of the slot 17), to capture the upstandingtongue within the downward facing annular on the reverse cup. Thereverse cup 14 is then rotated on the vertical horizontal member untilthe slot 17 is not aligned with lug 20, thereby “locking” the tongues ofthe horizontal between the upstanding cup and the reverse cup (hence thename cup lock). The rotating cup is another form of movable latch member2000 (see attached FIG. 10). Instead of upstanding cups, a flat annularring with openings in the ring may be used as the vertical connector onthe vertical scaffold member, to couple to a connector on a horizontalscaffold member. Examples of annular ring/connector systems are shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,273,463; 6,027,276; 5,961,240; 5,605,204; 4,840,513;and PCT publication number WO 2011/094351, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

These systems are generally referred to as wedge or pinlock scaffoldsystems, (for an example, see FIG. 9). The pinlock system relies upon awedge or pin 4000 being slidable (generally hammer driven) through thehorizontal end connector and rosette 4010 (the slidable pin is anothertype of movable latch member 2000). For instance, the joint of U.S. Pat.No. 5,961,240 (see FIG. 1 of that patent, attached as FIG. 9 hereto),uses rosette rings 4010-positioned on a vertical scaffold member. Thering 4010 has a series of openings 4022 therethrough. The horizontal endconnector is a body with a horizontal slot or mouth in the body toaccommodate the rosette ring. Slidably positioned on the horizontal endconnector is a pin 4000, which is vertically slidable through a verticalslot and in the connector body (the slidable pin 4000 is another form ofa moveable latch member 2000). In joining a vertical member to ahorizontal member, the rosette 4010 is slid into the mouth of thehorizontal connector, with an opening 4010 in the rosette aligned withthe vertical slot in the end connector. The pin 4000 is then rotatedupwardly, and then through the vertical slots, which wedges and holdsthe horizontal member to the vertical member.

System scaffolds are used to allow for ease of erection of scaffoldplatforms. However, in some instances, it is not possible to erect ahorizontal scaffold platform where the horizontal scaffold members aresupported on four (or more) comers by downwardly extendingground-supported vertical scaffold members. For instance, an elevatedworking surface may be needed that is connected to a self-standingscaffold structure, but where the platform is offset or cantileveredfrom the scaffold frame structure in order to extend the workingplatform over a structure (such as a tank). An offset working surfacemay be created by using a triangular shaped frame member connected tothe scaffold frame structure (generally, two vertical members of theframe) to create an offset “knee out” structure that will support acantilevered horizontal working surface. One such structure is shown inU.S. application Ser. No. 12/824,314 filed on Jun. 28, 2010, herebyincorporated by reference. However, when the offset working surfaceneeds to extend more than about ten feet from the scaffold frame, a kneeout support structure may not be feasible.

If the working environment includes overhead structures (often seen inbridge and offshore platforms), offset scaffold working surfaces withlong platforms can be constructed by suspending the remote end (orintermediate portion) of the offset extended platform from the overheadstructure. The suspended offset scaffold working surface makes longextended platforms feasible, but construction is arduous and dangerous.One method of erecting such an offset and suspended platform is asfollows. A self-standing scaffold structure is constructed adjacent tothe overheard structure, with a working surface positioned at thedesired height for the offset platform. From this working surface, aworker will couple an outwardly extending horizontal member to one ofthe vertical legs of the scaffold, to form an outwardly extendinghorizontal member supported only at one end by the couple to thevertical scaffold member. Placement of the extended horizontal, forinstance, an eight-footlong horizontal member, is awkward due to theweight of the horizontal member, and the fact that the horizontal membermust be held in position perpendicular to the vertical member in orderto couple to the vertical member, thus presenting large torque forcesduring installation. With a horizontal extending outwardly, a workerwould tie off to the scaffold structure, and walk out on the extendedhorizontal (which is coupled to the scaffold frame at only one end). Theworker would then connect a vertical to the free end of the horizontal,and then support the vertical from the overhead structure (such as bytying a rope or chain between the overhead structure and the vertical).The worker would return to the platform, and install a second outwardlyextending horizontal, and similarly, attach a vertical to the remote endof this horizontal, and suspend this vertical from the overheadstructure. Scaffold planks are then laid over the two suspendedhorizontals, creating a deck or working surface. A worker would thentake a third horizontal and connect the two suspended verticals to forma more rigid support frame for the working surface. Handrails can thenbe installed as desired between the verticals of the scaffold main frameand the suspended verticals.

As can be seen, this erection method requires a rigid joint between thehorizontal and vertical scaffold member to allow a worker to safely walkout on an extended horizontal. For this reason, the preferred joint forthis structure is the pinlock system, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,961,240, (one embodiment of a pinlock is shown in FIG. 9) as a tightjoint is needed to support a worker while working out on the extendedhorizontal. During the construction, the worker will generally be tiedoff to the overhead structure. However, even tied off, the procedure isdangerous and awkward. To join a horizontal to a vertical, thehorizontal member must be held at a right angle to the vertical to allowthe horizontal connector to couple to the vertical rosette or cup. Thisis difficult to accomplish due to the weight of the horizontal, and thelength of the horizontal (7-10 feet). A safer apparatus and method ofassembly is needed for building offset suspended scaffold decks.

Collectively, cups and rosettes, or other types of annular members onthe vertical scaffold member used to couple to a horizontal endconnector will be referred to collectively as annular members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a horizontal truss witha vertically pivoting pinlock connector.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a horizontal truss witha vertically pivoting cup/latch connector.

FIG. 2A is a side elevation partial view of truss end of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a horizontal truss withhorizontally pivoting pinlock connectors.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a horizontal truss withhorizontally pivoting cup/latch connectors.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a bracket used to mount a connector forpivoting.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a pivoting horizontaltruss with a cup/slidable latch connector.

FIG. 6A is a detailed view of end connector 91A on the truss embodimentof FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a pivoting horizontaltruss with a cup and cup lock connector.

FIG. 7A is a detailed view of end connector 91A on the truss embodimentof FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of the truss having bothhorizontal and vertical pivotable connectors.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pin lock typescaffold joint (taken from FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,240).

FIG. 10A is a side view of one embodiment of a cup lock type scaffoldjoint (taken from FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,118).

FIG. 10B is a top view of one embodiment of a cup lock type scaffoldjoint shown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a top view of one embodiment of a cup lock type scaffoldring in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a Safwaytype scaffold joint (taken from FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 10 of U.S. Pat. No.4,445,307).

FIG. 11B is a side view of the assembled joint of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a top view of a cup used in FIG. 11A, while FIG. 11D is aside view of the same cup.

FIG. 12A is a side view of an assembled embodiment of an Excel typescaffold joint (taken from FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,532).

FIG. 12B is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment of an Exceltype scaffold joint shown in FIG. 12A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Shown in FIG. 1 is a horizontal scaffold truss member 1. The trussmember 1 has two parallel horizontal pipes, and upper pipe 10 and lowerpipe 20, and support elements or bracing members 30 positioned betweenthe two horizontal pipes. Preferably, at each end of the horizontal pipe10 and 20 are end connectors 90A, 90B, 90C and 90D (90A and 90C formingupper connectors on upper horizontal 10, and 90B and 9D forming lowerconnectors on lower horizontal 20). For convenience of description, theend connectors 90 shown are similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,961,240, but the invention is not so limited. The “vertical”separation between the two horizontal pipes 10 and 20 is such so eachend connector will mate with a corresponding annular member or connector80 (here a rosette) on the vertical member 100, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown, three of the end connectors 90B, 90C, and 90D, are fixedlyjoined to the respective end of the horizontal pipe. However, one upperend connector, 90A, is pivotally coupled to the end of the upperhorizontal pipe 10. As shown in FIG. 1, upper end connector 90A allowsthe upper horizontal pipe 10 to pivot in a vertical plane with respectto the end connector 90A, about pivot pin 60, allowing the truss member1, when connector 90A is coupled to the corresponding vertical, to swingin a vertical plane, much like a drawbridge (as used, “vertical” is in aplane that passes through and substantially parallels the verticalscaffold member to which the truss is to be joined or the plane thatpasses through the parallel upper and lower members of the truss, while“horizontal” pivot implies pivoting in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to that plane containing the upper and lower members).Hence, vertical pivoting implies that the truss members distant endpivots toward or away from the ground, pivoting much like a verticallypivoting railroad crossing guard (e.g., a drawbridge type of action),while horizontal pivoting implies that the truss member swings outwardlyfrom the vertical to which it is attached (much like a swinging hingedgate) without substantially changing its height (e.g., pivoting in aplane parallel to the ground).

To accomplish horizontal pivoting, the horizontal connector body 90A(not shown in FIG. 5) is generally fixedly mounted on a U-shaped body300 having ears 301, shown in FIG. 5. The body 300 then pivots withrespect to the horizontal pipe 10 (the horizontal member is positionedinterior or between the extending ears 301), by pivoting about a firstpivot pin 1000 mounted though ears 301 and horizontal upper pipe 10 at ahinged point (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. A second pin 1100 may beinserted through the pipe 10 and ears to lock the connector in anon-pivoting configuration about the horizontal pipe 10, forming alocking point (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4). Other means of allowing theconnector to pivot with respect to the pipe could be used, as well asother locking means. For instance, for a horizontal pivoting connector,the connector may be mounted to the exterior (or interior) of the pipeusing a bearing. Alternatively, the connector 300 may have a lower ear(not shown) used as a stop which would prevent the pipe from verticallypivoting past the projecting ear. The selected horizontal systemhorizontal end connector (not shown in FIG. 5) is mounted to (orintegral with) the connector body 300.

This truss member 1 will be used to form one side of the extended offsetplatform. One method follows. A worker, working from the existingscaffold supported platform, such as from a horizontal scaffold deck,will tie a rope to the truss, and suspend the truss upright from theestablished scaffold structure, or from an overhead structure (such as abridge member), where the suspended truss upper horizontal 10 ispositioned adjacent to the vertical scaffold member to which it is to becoupled, with the couple 90A positioned adjacent to the correspondingjoint on the vertical member (here a rosette). The truss member 1 willgenerally be supported or suspend “above” the corresponding couplerosette point on the vertical that will couple with joint 90A on thesuspended truss. The worker will then adjust the rope until the pivotingend of couple 90A on the top horizontal scaffold member 10 is directlyadjacent to and insertable into the proper rosette. Preferably, a secondworker will then couple the horizontal connector 90A to the verticalconnector (e.g., position the mouth of the horizontal connecter bodyover the rosette by pivoting connector body 300 so that it is atsubstantially a right angle to the suspended upright horizontal member10) and then lock the connector in place (drive in the pin through theconnector and rosette opening). The first worker then lowers the rope,which results in the downward pivoting of the truss member about thecoupled and locked joint 90A, in a vertical plane, until the lowerconnector body 90B is adjacent to the corresponding rosette on thevertical member. Preferably, the second worker then connects connector90B with the proper rosette and locks the connector in place. One of theworkers may slide the locking pin into the aligned opening in the earsof the upper bracket 300 as a safety measure (not required) to resistfurther rotation of the truss.

This procedure is repeated on an adjacent vertical of the existingscaffold structure, creating two truss members that are outwardlyextending from the adjacent scaffold platform, each supported on one endonly. At this point, the worker places scaffold planks between the twoextended trusses, forming a working platform deck. In one embodiment ofa scaffold plank, each end has downwardly extending U-shaped brackets tocouple the plank to the respective horizontal (where the horizontal is acircular pipe member). As each plank measures between nine and twelveinches wide, multiple planks are slid out over the extended trussmembers. A worker will then move out on the new deck or platform,carrying a vertical scaffold member. The worker will then attach thevertical to the connectors 90C and 90D and support the attached verticalto the overhead structure. Preferably, the overhead structure will havea component (such as a first beam) in a vertical plane that passes closeto the vertical member to be suspended or the center of the resultingsuspended platform (if the beam is substantially off “alignment” withthe vertical to be supported, directly supporting the vertical to such anon-aligned overhead beam will not only provide an upward supportingforce, but will also provide a horizontal force component, and a largehorizontal force component is not preferred). For instance, a chain canbe attached (such as looped around the overhead structure) to theoverhead structure and tied to an eyebolt fixed or formed at the top ofthe vertical. A come along can be used to shorten (or lengthen) thechain to position the truss member in a level position. A secondvertical is coupled to the other truss member connectors 90C and 90D,and similarly supported by or suspended from the overhead structure(again, preferably, the overhead structure includes a second component,such as a beam, in a vertical that passes through or close to the centerof the extended platform) and then modify the chain length to level thetruss, thereby leveling the resulting platform. Horizontals can then bepositioned between the two suspended verticals at the rosettes betweencorresponding 90D joins and 90C joins, to form a three-sided suspendedframe for the deck or offset working surface. The fourth side of theframe is formed by the ground supported prior existing scaffold framestructure. A single horizontal member may be used to join the twosuspended verticals, such as at the level of the upper pipes 10, or thelower pipes 20, or two horizontal members used, one between the uppermembers, and one between the lower members of the opposing trusses.Additional horizontals may be joined between the suspended verticals,and between the suspended verticals and verticals of the existingscaffold structure, as needed, at a height above the installed deck fora safety rail. Alternatively, the outward vertical (that vertical thatwill attach to 90C and 90D on the truss members) can be attached to eachindividual truss member before the truss member is pivotally coupled orinstalled onto the existing support structure (such as an adjacentscaffold structure), or the outward vertical can be attached immediatelyafter the truss member is pivotally connected to the existing supportstructure.

When the truss is initially installed and supported only on one end to asingle vertical, the truss is supported on that vertical at two spacedapart locations—the upper joint 90A connection and the lower joint 90Bconnection to the vertical. This double connection creates a strong,stable joint. Additionally, because the truss itself forms a rigidstructure, the single extended truss is more stable than a singleextended horizontal. Although the truss member is heavier than a singlehorizontal, the pivoting joint allows the worker to install the trussvertically, reducing the torque forces that would be present inattempting to tie in the truss, or even a single horizontal at ninetydegrees to a vertical (as the truss is supported as it is pivoteddownward). A grab bar or handle may be included on the truss member toassist in operator manipulation of the truss during installation.Although the invention is described as a pivoting joint on a trussmember, a pivoting connector may also be on a single horizontal scaffoldmember, as opposed to a truss member. While installation is eased with apivoting horizontal joint, the single horizontal is not as rigid as atruss, and hence is not preferred, but is within the scope of theinvention.

As described, the pivoting joint connector is located on the tophorizontal of the truss member. As an alternative, the pivoting jointmember may be positioned on the bottom horizontal (e.g., joint 90B), butthis is not preferred. With a bottom pivoting joint, duringinstallation, the vertically supported upright truss is positioned sothe top of the upright truss is positioned adjacent the lower connectoron the vertical, with the lower horizontal 20 immediately adjacent thevertical scaffold member. However, in this configuration, the verticallysuspended truss 1 is generally suspended below the rosette or annularmember that will couple with joint 90B, and hence the suspended truss,once the couple with 90B is established, must now be rotated or pivoted“upwardly” to allow the connector 90A on the top horizontal 10 to comeinto alignment with the upper connector on the vertical member (asopposed to “lowering” the vertically suspended truss from a pivotingconnector on the top horizontal). This ra1smg movement is consideredmore arduous, and hence, the pivoting bottom connector 90B is notpreferred.

A second vertically pivoting truss is shown in FIG. 2, however, shown inthis truss member is a pivoting join on the horizontal that is of thecup/latch type of join. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the trusscontains only three connectors, pivoting connector 91A, and non-pivotingconnectors 91C and 91D. Shown attached to the lower truss member atlocation 91B is an arcuate shaped body 95, a couple member, shaped tomimic the outer curvature or shape of the vertical scaffold pipe.“Arcuate” will be used to indicate that couple member's shape iscomparable to that of the vertical for support by that vertical (forinstance, if the vertical is square, “arcuate” indicates the couplemember is shaped to rest on the vertical—i.e., forms three sides of asquare). With an annular cup 81 engagement (as opposed to the flatannular rosette), a connecter positioned on the lower truss membercannot properly engage the cup 81 by pivoting into place, as the frontof the hook type connector, in a pivot action, would contact theexterior surface of the cup 81. Hence, the couple member is designed toengage and support the truss against the vertical scaffold memberwithout using a connector to connect to a cup. The couple member 95 ispreferably shaped to rest on a vertical member and help support thetruss member. Couple member could also be a clamp positioned around thevertical and joined to the lower horizontal, such as a pivoting clamp.Couple member may also be two parallel opposing plates so that when thetruss is installed, the vertical member is trapped between the twoparallel plates (not shown). Alternatively, but not preferred, both endsof the lower horizontal could terminate in a couple member, such as anarcuate shaped coupled member, a clamp, etc.

If two cup type connectors are desired to attached to spaced apart cups,a horizontally pivoting embodiment may be used (as later described), orthe bottom connector at position 91B should be slidable vertically withrespect to the horizontal member 20, so that the lower connecter 91B canbe moved vertically upwardly, to clear the cup, then downwardly toengage the cup; alternatively, in some connector embodiments, instead ofsliding vertically, the second end connector on lower horizontal may berotatable about an axis aligned with the center of the horizontalmember, thereby allowing the second end connector to be positionedadjacent the corresponding cup or rosette or other connector on thevertical, and rotated into proper coupling orientation (not shown). Thehorizontal position of such a rotatable or vertically slidablehorizontal end connector preferably is lockable, such as with a pm, toprevent unwanted movement after engagement with the respective cup orrosette.

The truss member 1 is used to assemble an extended, vertically supportedplatform as the previous connector. Once one suspended offset platformis in place, this offset platform may now be used as the “fixed”scaffold, and another extended offset platform may now be attached,using a similar construction technique. For instance, if a 30×10 footextended platform is needed off of a “fixed” scaffold frame, the firstten-foot extended offset platform is erected as an outwardly extendingplatform to create a 10×10 offset platform. After this extension hasbeen vertically supported, a second offset ten-foot platform is builtconnected to the first offset platform at overhead supported end,thereby creating a 10×20 foot vertically supported offset platform, andso on until the desired length is reached (the suspended platform mayalso be 20×20, having three parallel trusses each 10 feet across, etc.).Breakdown or disassembly of the platform is performed in substantiallythe reverse order as assembly.

A third type of pivoting truss member is shown in FIG. 3. Shown here isa truss member 1 having pivoting connectors 90AH and 90BH. However,these connectors are designed to pivot in the horizontal plane (like aswinging fence gate), where “horizontal plane” is a plane ninety degreesto the orientation of a vertical member (e.g., parallel to the ground).Again, the preferred construction is to have the horizontal members 10and 20 attached to a U-shaped bracket 300, and the bracket 300 pivotswith respect to the horizontal members 10 and 20. In this instance, theears 301 of the bracket 300 are positioned on “top” and “bottom” of thehorizontal members s 10 and 20 to provide for horizontal pivoting(whereas the vertically pivoting truss has the ears mounted on the“sides” of the horizontal members).

To build an offset vertically supported platform with this truss, thetruss is installed in its natural orientation, horizontally. To avoidtorque forces, the truss should be horizontal but not extendingoutwardly from the scaffold frame. Instead, the truss should be orientedso that it is adjacent the side of the scaffold platform. In thisorientation, a worker can support the truss with almost no torqueforces, if supported from the center of the truss (overhead support isnot necessary). To attach, one worker supports the truss and connectors90AH and 90BH are pivoted to face the respective annular members 80 forengagement and mounting. One worker holds the truss, while a secondworker aligns the two truss connectors 90AH and 90BH with the respectiveconnectors 80 on the vertical scaffold member and joins the trussconnectors to the vertical connectors and locks the connectors in place.The second horizontally pivoting truss is similarly installed on anadjacent vertical. The installed trusses are rotated horizontally (swungoutwardly) until they extend outwardly and generally are perpendicularto the scaffold frame. As in the other methods, decking is laid,verticals are attached to the remote ends of the truss, and theverticals supported from an overhead structure. A similar horizontallypivoting truss m a cup/latch embodiment is shown in FIG. 4.

Another horizontally pivoting truss embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, usingend connectors similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,307. In thisembodiment, the latch or lock member does not pivot with respect to theend connector but is slidable with respect to the end connector (such asa wedge 102 that is slid into position underneath the respective cup inan assembled scaffold joint). In the truss shown in FIG. 6, the twohorizontal members 10, and 20 each have horizontally pivoting endconnectors 91A and 91B. Pivoting end connectors are not required on theother end of the truss member. This truss is installed similarly to thetruss described in FIG. 3. This end connector type may also be used in avertically pivoting truss embodiment, but as with the verticallypivoting truss cup/latch system shown in FIG. 2, the bottom end of thetruss adjacent the top pivoting member preferably will not terminate inan end connector, but instead, with a couple member (such as an arcuateshaped member if the vertical is a circular pipe) that will bear againstthe vertical scaffold member. For instance, the arcuate shaped member191 may be a half cylinder, with an inner radius equal to that of theouter radius of a vertical scaffold pipe 100, or the couple member couldbe a clamp, or some combination. As shown in FIG. 2A, the end of thelower horizontal member 20 also has a lower cutout 105 to accommodatethe adjacent cup 81 on the vertical scaffold member 100. If additionalsecurity in the connector is required, a clamp may be used to secure thearcuate shaped member to the vertical scaffold member, such as apivoting “U” bolt clamp pivotally attached to the horizontal lowermember 20 or the arcuate shaped end.

Another pivoting end connector truss embodiment is shown in FIG. 7,using end connectors similar to those in U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,118. Thepivoting end connectors 91A and 92B are horizontally pivoting endconnectors—the end connector on the horizontal is basically a pivotingshort piece of pipe terminating with an upwardly extending tongue member301 and downwardly extending tongue member 302. As previously described,the upper 91A and lower 91B pivoting end connectors at one end of thetruss are placed in the annular channels of the corresponding upstandingcups 81 or annular member on a vertical 100 (e.g., the downwardextending tongues 302 are positioned in the annular channel formed bythe upstanding cups 81) and then locked into place (here by sliding thereverse cup 305 on the vertical downward, with the slot in the reversecup 305 aligned with lug 700 on the vertical member. The reverse cup 305is slid sufficiently far down the vertical to extend past the lug 700,after which the reverse cup is rotated to misalign the slot on the endconnector with the lug 700 on the vertical member 100, thereby capturingthe upstanding tongue 301 on the pivoting end connector in the annualring of the reverse cup 305. Once the horizontal end connector iscoupled with the end connector on the vertical, the truss is then swungor pivoted outwardly like a swing gate into the proper orientation withthe scaffold frame.

This end connector type (cup lock) may also be used in a verticallypivoting embodiment, but as with the vertically pivoting truss cup/latchsystem shown in FIG. 2, the bottom end of the truss adjacent the toppivoting member preferably will not terminate in a pivoting endconnector. However, in the cup lock system, the horizontal end connectortongues may have suitable curvature to form the preferred arcuatelycouple member, suitably adapted (e.g., the downward facing tongue maynot be present on this couple member to avoid interference with thecorresponding cup on the vertical). Instead of an arcuate shaped couplemember (or as a supplement to) a clamp or similar attachment can bepositioned on the bottom end connector, which would then be clamped tothe vertical scaffold member after the truss has been vertically swunginto position, when the clamp would be adjacent to the vertical scaffoldmember.

As described, the pivoting truss system can be used with most connectortypes, including traditional tube and clamp scaffolding. Scaffold pipesmay be round or other shape. Each connector is configured to “connect”with an annular member on a vertical scaffold member—that is, when theconnector engages the annular member, the join supports the truss (thetruss may rotate, for instance, but the truss is nevertheless supportedby the engagement or connection). The connection may automatically“lock” the vertical to the horizontal (such as in the Excel type springloaded latch type connectors) or may require action on the part of theoperator to lock the horizontal to the vertical (such as in the cup locktype of connectors, the Safway type of connectors, or the pin-lock typeof connectors).

Another embodiment of the truss member is shown in FIG. 8. As shown inthis figure, truss member 1 has connectors 90A, 90B, 91A and 91B thatare pin lock type connectors. Connector 91 A is mounted to the uppermember 10 and is mounted to allow the truss member 1 to pivotvertically. Connector 90B is fixedly attached to lower member 20 on thesame truss end as connector 90A and does not pivot. The opposite end oftruss member 1 has connectors 91A and 91B attached to the upper andlower members respectively and are configured to allow the truss memberto pivot in the horizontal plane. This “dual” pivoting truss allows asingle truss member to be used at the user's discretion for vertical orhorizontal pivoting, thus eliminating the need to keep separateinventory of two different types of truss members. The “dual” pivotingtruss can be used with end connectors other than pin lock type, asdescribed previously.

It is understood that others have tried to use a system where the entirehorizontal member, including the connector, pivots in the verticalconnector (generally, a rosette). However, in such a system, thestandard openings in the rosette cannot be used, as the openings in thestandard rosette are designed to tightly couple the horizontal to thevertical. Hence, non-standard rosettes must be used, and hence,non-standard verticals. One of the benefits of the present system isthat the standard vertical connector and standard horizontal connect canbe used with no modifications, as the connector pivots with respect tothe horizontal pipe. For pinlock type of connectors for verticalpivoting, the jaws of the opening on the truss member fixed connectormay be widened to assist installation (see FIG. 1, where the upper 1000Aand lower jaw 1000B are not parallel, but the upper jaw 1000A is set atan angle (here 28 degrees).

The truss member connectors described as being fixedly attached to theupper or lower pipe may also be pivotally attached. As described above,the pivoting truss member is used to erect an overhead supported offsetscaffold deck. The pivoting truss member is not limited to thatapplication, as there may be applications where the stiffness and extrasupport of a truss member is needed in a non-overhead supported scaffoldstructure, and the pivoting truss allows for ease of installation insuch applications.

1. A method of erecting a suspended scaffold platform to an existingscaffold structure having vertical scaffold members, comprising thesteps of: providing a first and second horizontal scaffold truss member,each comprising an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal memberseparated from the other but fixedly joined with at least one bracingmember, forming, respectively a first truss frame and a second trussframe, each upper and lower horizontal member of each said first andsaid second horizontal scaffold truss member having a first and a secondend respectively; first connectors positioned on said first end of saidupper horizontal member and said lower horizontal member of said firstand said second horizontal scaffold truss members, at least one of saidfirst connectors configured to removably connect to a scaffold verticalmember at an annular member that is fixedly positioned on and extendingoutwardly from said scaffold vertical member; a plurality of secondconnectors, one of said plurality of second connectors being pivotallyattached on each of said second ends of said upper and said lowerhorizontal members on said first and said second horizontal scaffoldtruss members; each second connector configured to removably connect toa scaffold vertical member at an annular member that is fixedlypositioned on and extending outwardly from said scaffold verticalmember. whereby each of said second connectors is pivotable in ahorizontal plane with respect to said associated horizontal scaffoldtruss member; each of said second connectors having a moveable latchmember moving between a latched position and an unlatched position,whereby in said latched position, when said respective second connectoris coupled to an annular member on a vertical scaffold member, saidlatch member resists decoupling of said respective second connector fromthe annular member, but said second connector remains pivotable withrespect to said horizontal scaffold truss member on which said secondconnector is positioned; said method further comprising the steps ofcoupling said first horizontal scaffold truss member to a first verticalscaffold member of said existing scaffold structure, by coupling saidsecond connectors on said upper and said lower horizontal members ofsaid first horizontal scaffold truss member to a first and secondannular members on said first vertical scaffold member, where eachannular member extends outwardly from said first vertical scaffoldmember; moving each of said latch members on said second connectors ofsaid upper and lower horizontal member of said first horizontal scaffoldtruss member to a latched position; pivoting said coupled firsthorizontal scaffold truss member about said second connectors on saidfirst horizontal scaffold truss member to move said first end of saidhorizontal scaffold truss members of said first horizontal scaffoldtruss member from a location proximal to the existing scaffold structureinto a desired orientation distal to the existing scaffold structure;said method further comprising the steps of coupling said secondhorizontal scaffold truss member to a second vertical scaffold member ofsaid existing scaffold structure, by coupling said second connectors onsaid upper and lower horizontal members of said second horizontalscaffold truss member to a first and second annular members on saidsecond vertical scaffold member, where each annular member extendsoutwardly from said vertical scaffold member; moving each of said latchmembers on said second connectors of said upper and said lowerhorizontal member of said second horizontal scaffold truss member to alatched position; pivoting said coupled second horizontal scaffold trussmember about said second connectors on said second horizontal scaffoldtruss member to move said first end of said horizontal scaffold trussmembers of said second horizontal scaffold truss member from a locationproximal to the existing scaffold structure into a desired orientationdistal to the existing scaffold structure; placing scaffold plankingboards between said pivoted first and second horizontal scaffold trussmembers to create a working surface; coupling a third vertical scaffoldmember to said at least one first connector of said first horizontalscaffold truss member to an annular member positioned on said thirdvertical scaffold member coupling a fourth vertical scaffold member tosaid first connectors of said second horizontal scaffold truss member toan annular members positioned on said third vertical scaffold membersupporting said third vertical scaffold member from an overheadstructure; and supporting said fourth vertical scaffold member from saidoverhead structure.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising thesteps of providing a third horizontal scaffold truss member comprisingan upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member separated fromthe other but fixedly joined with at least one bracing member, forming,respectively a third truss frame, each upper and lower horizontal memberof said third horizontal scaffold truss member having a first and secondend respectively; first connectors, connectors positioned on said firstend of said upper horizontal members and said lower horizontal member ofsaid third horizontal scaffold truss members, at least one of said firstconnectors configured to removably connect to a scaffold vertical memberat an annular member that is fixedly positioned on and extendingoutwardly from said scaffold vertical member; a plurality of secondconnectors, one of said plurality of second connectors being attached oneach of said second ends of said upper and said lower horizontal memberson said first and said second horizontal scaffold truss members; eachsecond connector configured to removably connect to a scaffold verticalmember at an annular member that is fixedly positioned on and extendingoutwardly from said scaffold vertical member; each of said first andsecond connectors having a moveable latch member moving between alatched position and an unlatched position, whereby in said latchedposition, when said respective second connector is coupled to an annularmember on vertical scaffold member, said latch member resists decouplingof said respective first or second connector from the annular member;coupling said at least one of said first connector on said thirdhorizontal scaffold member to said annular member on said third verticalscaffold member; coupling said second connectors on said thirdhorizontal truss member with said annular connectors on said fourthvertical scaffold members, whereby said first, second and thirdhorizontal scaffold members are horizontally aligned below the workingsurface.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereby said step of coupling saidthird vertical scaffold member to said first horizontal truss member isperformed before the step of pivoting said first horizontal scaffoldmember; and where the step of coupling said fourth vertical scaffoldmember to said second horizontal truss member is performed before thestep of pivoting said second horizontal scaffold member.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein one of said first connectors is fixedly attached onone of said first ends of said horizontal members of said firsthorizontal scaffold truss member and the other of said first ends firstconnector, the at least one first connector, is pivotally mounted onsaid other first end, and pivots vertically.
 5. The method of claim 3,wherein said step of pivoting said first horizontal scaffold trussmember is independent from the step of pivoting said second horizontalscaffold truss member.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said at lastone of said first connectors is pivotally attached on said first ends ofsaid first horizontal scaffold truss member and said second horizontalscaffold truss member respectively and pivots vertically.
 7. The methodof claim 1 wherein the existing scaffold structure is supported for saidoverhead structure.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the existingscaffold structure is supported by a ground surface.
 9. The method ofclaim 3 wherein said at least one first connector is fixedly attached oneach of said second end of said first horizontal scaffold truss and saidsecond horizontal scaffold truss respectively, and configured to connectto an annular member positioned on a scaffold vertical member.
 10. Themethod of claim 3, wherein said step of pivoting said first horizontalscaffold truss member is independent from the step of pivoting saidsecond horizontal scaffold truss member.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein said first and second horizontal truss members are connected tosaid first and second vertical scaffold members whereby said workingsurface is a horizontal surface.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein eachof said movable latch members is movable either slidably or pivotably.13. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said movable latch memberscomprises a wedge vertically slidable or horizontally slidable.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second connectorsfurther comprises a pin or hook sections, each pin or hook sectionconfigured to be engageable with said annular member on said first orsaid second vertical scaffold member.
 15. The method of claim 1 whereinthe annular members are rosettes.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein theannular members comprise an upstanding annular cup.
 17. A method oferecting a suspended scaffold platform to an existing scaffold structurehaving vertical scaffold members, comprising the steps of: providing afirst and second horizontal scaffold truss member, each comprising anupper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member separated from theother but fixedly joined with at least one bracing member, forming,respectively a first truss frame and a second truss frame, each saidupper and said lower horizontal members of each said first and saidsecond horizontal scaffold truss member having a first and a second endrespectively; first connectors attached on said first end of said upperhorizontal members and said lower horizontal member of said first andsaid second horizontal scaffold truss members, at least one of saidfirst connector pivotally attached and configured to removably connectto scaffold vertical member at an annular member that is fixedlypositioned on and extending outwardly from said scaffold verticalmember; said at least one first connector pivoting in a vertical plane;and said vertically pivotable first connector having a moveable firstend latch member moving between a latched position and an unlatchedposition, whereby in said latched position, when said respectivevertically pivotable first connector is coupled to an annular member ona vertical scaffold member, said first end latch member resistsdecoupling of said respective vertically pivotable first connector fromthe annular member, but said vertically pivotable first connectorremains pivotable with respect to said horizontal scaffold truss memberon which said vertically pivotable first connector is positioned; secondconnectors being pivotally attached each of said second ends of saidupper and said lower horizontal members on said first and secondhorizontal scaffold truss members; sech second connector pivotinghorizontally and configured to removably connect to a scaffold verticalmember at an annular member that is fixedly positioned on and extendingoutwardly from said scaffold vertical member; each second connectorpivoting in a horizontal plane and each having a moveable second endlatch member moving between a latched position and an unlatchedposition, whereby in said latched position, when said respective secondconnector is coupled to an annular member on a vertical scaffold member,said second end latch member resists decoupling of said respectivesecond connector from the annular member, but said second connectorremains pivotable with respect to said horizontal scaffold truss memberon which said second connector is positioned; said method furthercomprising the steps of coupling said first horizontal scaffold trussmember to a first scaffold member of said existing scaffold structure,by coupling said vertically pivotable first connector on of said firsthorizontal scaffold truss member to a first annular member on said firstvertical scaffold member, where each annular member extends outwardlyfrom said first vertical scaffold member, thereby creating a coupled endand an uncoupled end of said first horizontal scaffold truss member;moving said latch member on said vertically pivotable first connector onsaid first scaffold truss member to a latched position; pivoting saidcoupled first horizontal scaffold truss member about said verticallypivotable first end connector on said first horizontal scaffold trussmember to move said second ends of said horizontal scaffold members ofsaid first horizontal scaffold truss member from a location proximal tothe existing scaffold structure into a desired orientation distal to theexisting scaffold structure; said method further comprising the steps ofcoupling said second horizontal scaffold truss member to a secondvertical scaffold member of said existing scaffold structure, bycoupling either said pivoting first end connector or said pivotingsecond end connectors on said second horizontal truss frame to a annularmember(s) on said second vertical scaffold member, where each annularmember extends outwardly from said second vertical scaffold member,creating a coupled end and an uncoupled end of said second horizontalscaffold truss member; moving each said respective latch members on saidrespective coupled pivoting connectors on said coupled end of saidsecond horizontal scaffold truss member to a latched position; pivotingsaid coupled second horizontal scaffold truss member about said coupledpivoting connectors on said second horizontal scaffold truss member tomove said uncoupled end of said second horizontal scaffold truss memberfrom a location proximal to the existing scaffold structure into anorientation distal to the existing scaffold structure; placing scaffoldplanking boards between said pivoted first and second horizontalscaffold truss members to create a working surface therebetween;coupling a third vertical scaffold member to said uncoupled end of saidfirst horizontal scaffold truss member; coupling a fourth verticalscaffold member to said uncoupled end of said second horizontal scaffoldtruss member; supporting said third vertical scaffold member from anoverhead structure; and supporting said fourth vertical scaffold memberfrom said overhead structure.